I have the Pixel 3 XL. There have been zero issues with it. Pixel 3 has loud speakers, superior camera post-processing, stock Android software, and Google integrated AI. If there are any memory management issues they will be fixed with a software update in the near future.

I have the Pixel 3 XL. There have been zero issues with it. Pixel 3 has loud speakers, superior camera post-processing, stock Android software, and Google integrated AI. If there are any memory management issues they will be fixed with a software update in the near future.

The notch reminds me of a king's crown and looks great.

I'd just like to interject for a moment. What you're referring to as stock Android, is in fact, Android Open Source Project plus Google customizations. I've recently taken to calling it, AOSP+G. Google doesn't utilize stock Android by itself, but rather their proprietary customizations of a fully functioning system made useful by the Android Open Source Project.

But also, Tom, how are you even using a Pixel. It is the antithesis of everything you stand for... I know the camera is good, but is it worth it to sacrifice any semblance of privacy for for a generic piece of hardware with a great camera?

Also, Samsung has been notoriously bad at pushing the Android monthly security patches, unlike the Pixel devices. Pixel 3 XL will get security patches for three years in addition to two letter updates (Android Q and Android R). While the Galaxy Note 9 should get a letter update, it will more than likely stop at Android P and stay behind in security patches, leaving it vulnerable to exploits that Google already patched.

Per privacy, many companies will attempt to sell your information, not just Google. Apple sells your information. There is no way to get around it. Further, most android phones already have Google's voice assistant, YouTube, and Google's apps installed. Buying a Samsung phone and installing Google Apps really means that you have to split your trust across multiple companies.

As far as other features besides camera, I have noticed the following:

- Suspected spam callers are marked in red when a call is received, with an easy block button- Incoming phone calls can be sent to the google screening service, which translates the caller's message to text in real time, allowing one to answer and take the call- You can tell Google to book a reservation at a restaurant at a certain time and the AI will call and book on your behalf- The phone seems smart enough to tell when you are in a meeting, and will vibrate rather than ring, despite the ringer being on -- which has been useful

Other vendors significantly mess around with the Android OS. Google's OS has better compatibility with stock android and will be patched more frequently than Samsung:

Frequency of patches means nothing when the fragmented state of the ARM hardware ecosystem means each device has its own Linux kernel fork that is already out of date by the time the device is released. In two years, you'll be running a three- (if you're lucky) year-old OS with "patches".